Global Grooves — CDs  

A record with a really timeless feel, and a great mix of classic and contemporary – rootsy Ghanaian instrumentation, modern production, and just a touch of electronics – all wrapped up in a mix that's mighty nice – and one that's a lot more earthy than you might expect! Bola's not exactly in Konono territory, but his approach isn't that far off, either – as there's a core element to the music that relies strongly on older traditions – and an execution that just makes slight use of contemporary electronics – often used very sparely, just to underscore the key aspects of the music – in ways that almost make the acoustic elements sound even more fragile and crisp! The set's hardly a remix-type project, and has a gritty appeal that goes way beyond any of the too-sweetly recorded sessions of recent years – almost more in an Analogue Africa mode overall. Titles include "Yine Mmema", "Abayetidu Ma", "Hoyenbesa Nini", "Makamiba", and "Burilbunbol Suma".

They're not kidding about the title of this one – because the group are definitely a bunch of hotheads on the bongos – playing percussion at a pace that's pretty darn quick, while also throwing in some cool Casio keyboard lines too – all to create a groove that's earthy, rootsy, and pretty darn compelling! Vocals often move at an equally fast clip – and there's a great home-made feel to the whole thing – not exactly Congotronics, but that same really creative, individual approach to music. Titles include "Dunia Watu", "Jumba Bovu", "Zubeida", "Mpango Mzima", "Hesima", and "Cha Upele". Also features two bonus videos!

Contemporary sounds from Kenya, but music with a very timeless feel – recorded live at different locations in Mukungi village, and often just featuring spare instrumentation and a bit of voice! The quality of the work goes way beyond other ethnographic recordings – as the sound quality is impeccable, and really brings out a lot of the unusual sounds in these styles – music that mixes elements from a range of percussion instruments, plus metal rings, hand claps, bells, oboe, rattles, and more – even some bottle tops, a metal tray, and the bung'o horn! The vocals are often relatively rootsy, and some tracks are all instrumental – and the package is as compelling a contemporary collection as some of the Honest Jons sets of work from much older years. Titles include "Bamba", "Bung'O", "Ndema", "Dena", "Mambodze", "Matatizo", "Pepo Mlume", "Chela", and "Gaserego".

A very cool collection of work from the South African scene – and almost all of it from the start of the 60s, despite the way the title is listed! Apart from one 1940 track, most of the music here comes from 1960 – a pivotal year when South African music was really growing up – pulling together rootsy elements and inflecting them with some of the key changes happening in the scene in the wake of rich developments in jazz – including big influences from the modernists who would move onto work in Europe and the UK just a few years later. Many numbers here have a leaping, joyous sort of groove – often with a key instrument in the lead voice – such as a tenor, flute, whistle, or trumpet – often upfront in the mix even more than the vocals. Titles include "7 Up Swing" by Abafana Flute Jive, "Nanku" by Doris Mkhize & The Cement Mixers, "Inhliziyo Yam" by Cowboy Superman & His Cowboy Sisters, "Tholi Bare" by Lulu Sibeko & Sedgewick Brothers, "Sophtown Special" by Sophtown Cool Seven, "Kwela Rich" by Richard Nombali, and "Saya Vuma" by Sample Siroqo.

Early work from a group who later grew into the famous Ikenga Super Stars Of Africa – recording here in London with a great raw sound – and an unusual mix of modes that's part Afro Funk, part something else entirely! The set's got that unique post-colonial vibe of some of the other great London recordings of the early 70s – such as work by Cymande or Demon Fuzz, both of whom have some dubby similarities to the Nkengas work on this set – possibly because the whole thing was served up for the Orbitone Records label – usually a home to sounds from Jamaica! There's a nice use of echo that really abstracts the basslines and percussion – although the grooves themselves are still more straightforward than any from Kingston at the time – and definitely echo the Nigerian roots of the group. Tracks have a lot of cool little funky corners and sharp edges that really set them apart – and titles include "London Special", "Ndu Bu Isi", "Anyi Bundi Igbo", "Jungle Beat", "Anyi Buofu", and "Ube Frank Special".